A Fresh Opportunity For Employers and Veterans

By Brandy Petty | Oct. 26, 2017 5:50 pm

SAN ANGELO, TX – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), in partnership with 28 local workforce development boards and the Texas Veterans Commission, will host veterans hiring fairs in 29 cities throughout Texas on Thursday, Nov. 9. TWC's sixth annual Hiring Red, White & You! statewide hiring fair is a joint initiative supported by the Office of the Governor, the Texas Medical Center and the Texas Veterans Commission to connect veterans and their spouses in Texas with employers who are seeking veterans' exceptional skills.

“Few things are as important as taking care of those who have served and defended our freedom,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “The Hiring Red, White & You! events reflect Texas’ commitment to helping those who have already sacrificed so much. I encourage all Texas employers to help ensure our veterans receive employment after they return home.”

The multi-city event is designed to assist veterans, service members and their spouses as they seek their next career opportunity. Employers participate at no cost and are encouraged to contact their local Workforce Solutions Office for more information. Over the past five years, Hiring Red, White & You! has connected more than 58,000 veterans with over 8,400 employers. This is an excellent opportunity for employers to meet our veterans and realize their value in the workforce in a face-to-face environment.

“Texas veterans possess an unmatched level of leadership, integrity, and skills obtained through service to our country,” said TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar. “We are proud to partner on the Hiring Red, White & You! Statewide job fairs, which connect Texas employers with these highly-coveted and skilled veterans.”

The Texas Veterans Commission is preparing veterans for these hiring fairs by assisting them with applications and résumés, interviewing techniques, as well as one-on-one counseling services.

“Veteran employment programs and events like Hiring Red, White & You! are extremely beneficial to all Texans,” said Texas Veterans Commission Executive Director Thomas Palladino. “We want our service members to know that we appreciate their specialized skill sets and strong work ethic, which help strengthen the prosperity of our state.”

The national unemployment rate in 2016 for all veterans was 4.3 percent. In contrast, for those veterans who served in the military since September 2001, the unemployment rate was higher at 5.1 percent. There are 1.7 million total veterans throughout Texas, which is the 2nd highest state population of veterans in the country.

Employers who hire veterans may be eligible for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, which allows employers to receive up to $9,600 on federal business income or payroll tax benefits when they hire from certain qualified groups of veterans.

“We all thrive as a community when our veterans and their family members have employment,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez. “Hiring Red, White & You! is an invaluable coordination of efforts to assist veterans with their job needs.”

Information on how employers and job seekers can participate in Hiring Red, White & You! hiring fairs may be found at www.texasworkforce.org/hrwy. Please note that some job fair locations may have changed since last year. For information on all veteran workforce services available in Texas, visit www.texasworkforce.org/veterans.

Issued from the offices of The Texas Workforce in Austin, Tx, Lisa Givens